convince them of

USAGE SUMMARY

"convince them of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to convincing someone of a particular opinion, idea, or belief. For example: "I have been trying to convince them of the importance of getting a college degree".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They can't convince them of that.

The New Yorker

It's up to you to convince them of your potential.

The Guardian - Money

But how to convince them of David's innocence?

The Guardian - Books

If we could only convince them of that".

The New York Times

Let's fail to educate our students about the novella, fail to convince them of its charms.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had to convince them of the error in their logic.

The New York Times

"The girls' testimonies can convince them of the future damage the action will cause".

The Guardian

I haven't been able to convince them of the importance of playing every night.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep in touch with your supporters: Tell them your story and convince them of your goals.

The Guardian

Most Americans don't need a detailed empirical study to convince them of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

We tried to convince them of the power of our values and our system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "convince them of", clearly state the specific idea, fact, or belief you are trying to impart. Specificity strengthens your persuasive effort.

Common error

Avoid hyperbole or exaggeration when trying to "convince them of" something. Presenting information objectively, even when advocating for a particular viewpoint, enhances credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convince them of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a clause expressing the content that needs to be believed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it directly expresses the act of persuading someone to accept a specific viewpoint or fact, aiming to alter their understanding or belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "convince them of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses the act of persuading someone to believe something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found across various contexts, including news, science, business, and general writing. The phrase is versatile and has several related alternatives, like "persuade them of" or "assure them of", offering subtle differences in meaning and formality. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are crucial for effective communication. Common errors include overstating the case, which can undermine credibility. Overall, "convince them of" is a valuable tool for expressing persuasion effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Persuade them of

Substitutes "convince" with "persuade", maintaining nearly identical meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

Assure them of

Replaces "convince" with "assure", focusing on removing doubt rather than active persuasion. Focuses more on providing certainty than persuasion.

Get them to believe

Focuses on achieving belief, which is the intended outcome of convincing, phrased more informally.

Demonstrate to them

Replaces "convince" with "demonstrate", implying a more visual or experiential form of persuasion.

Satisfy them of

Uses "satisfy" instead of "convince", indicating a fulfillment of their understanding or acceptance.

Win them over regarding

Suggests overcoming resistance, implying a successful effort to convince despite initial opposition.

Prove to them

Employs "prove" to show factual evidence, differing from merely convincing through argument.

sway them about

Changes "convince" to "sway", suggesting a gentle form of influence rather than a direct confrontation.

Influence them regarding

Shifts the focus to influencing, which is a broader term than convincing, and uses a slightly different preposition.

Bring them around to the idea of

Indicates a process of gradual persuasion, suggesting a change in opinion over time.

FAQs

How can I use "convince them of" in a sentence?

You can use "convince them of" to indicate persuading someone about a fact, idea, or belief. For example, "I need to convince them of the importance of this project."

What's a more formal way to say "convince them of"?

A more formal alternative would be "persuade them of", which carries a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated tone.

Is there a difference between "convince them of" and "inform them about"?

"Convince them of" implies an effort to change someone's belief, while "inform them about" simply means providing information without necessarily aiming to alter their opinion.

What are some alternatives to "convince them of" that emphasize reassurance?

Alternatives like "assure them of" or "reassure them of" can be used when the goal is to alleviate doubt or uncertainty rather than change a belief.